Apparatus for the continuous practice of electrolytic processes.



-No.- 727,457. PATENTBD MAY 5, 1903'. P G. SALOM.

APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRACTICE 0F ELECTROLYTIC PROCESSES. APPLIOA'IION FILED SEPT. 11, 1'9oa INVENTOR fl All tend to retard the process.

UNTTnn STATES Patented May 5, 1903.

PATENT @rrrca.

APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUSPRACTICE OF ELECTROLYTIC PROCESSES.

"EECIEICATJION forming part of Letters Patent No. 727,457, dated May 5, 1903.

Application filed September 17,1902. Serial No. 123,691. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that L-PEDRO G. SALOM, acitizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for the Continuous Practice of Electrolytic Processes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

any electrolytic processes act upon or transform a material which is present in the region of one of the electrodes, usually as a coating, and as the process proceeds it is necessary from time to time to renew the supply of this material. So, also, in many electrolytic processes there is continuously formed in the region of one of the electrodes a material, usually as a coating of semisolid or flocculent material which may be the substance to obtain which the process is carried on or which by its undue accumulation may Often the material thus continuously formed is the result of the action of the electrolysis in transforming a material supplied as a coating at the electrode. In all such cases with the use of ordinary electrolytic apparatus it is necessary from time to time to interrupt the process in order to either renew the supply of the material which is being acted upon or transformed at the electrode with which it is associated or to remove the material which has been formed or acted upon or transformed from the electrode upon which it has accumulated.

My invention relates to an apparatus by means of which, without interruption to the process, the material which is to be acted upon may be continuously supplied to an electrode, and also by means of which a product which is formed at an electrode or which results from the transformation of a material there supplied may likewise be continuously removed Without interruption of the process.

Apparatus embodying my invention are suitable for the practice of a large number of electrolytic processes. By Way of illustration I will describe my invention in a form adapted to the continuous electrolytic reduction. of lead from its sultid. In this process lead sulfid, usually in the form of properlyconcentrat-ed galena, is placed in contact with the same, certain of the upper parts being removed. Fig. 8 is a partial vertical section through the line 3 3, Fig. 2.

The apparatus is,preferablymounted on a table A, which may be of wood or any other non-conducting material. B is an electro' .lytic cell in the form of a continuous annulns with inner and outer peripheral walls I) b. It is preferably composed of antimonial lead. It is constituted a cathode by the electrical connections 1) b. In the center of the table A is set a socket C, within which is inserted an upright post 0. Upon this post is mounted a rotating spider-frame D, consisting of a central disk d and radial arms d (1. Above the spider-frame the post 0 carries an insulating-bushing e, upon which revolves a gearwheel E. Insulated connection is maintained between gear-wheel E and spider-frame D by thepaired lugs 't' i on top of the disk (1, which project upon either side of the spokes of gearwheel E. This gear meshes with pinion f, the shaft of which is mounted vertically in journals supported independently of the parts that have been described. This latter shaft carries the gear-wheel F, to which motion is imparted by a pawling-lever G. The oscillation of this pawling-lever by any suitable means accomplishes, in connection with the reducing-gears whichhave been described, the slow but continuous rotation of the spider-frame D. The spider-frame D supports within. the electrolytic cell 13 an anode in the form of an annulus, which, however, is incomplete to the extent of one of the spaces between the arms of the spider-frame. I This anode is preferably made up of a series of segmental anode-plates H, one plate bridging each of the spaces between the arms ofthe spider-frat me and all being supported by their contact with the arms of the ame. The

' as shown in Fig. 1.

anode-plates are also preferably made of antimonial lead. Each anode-plate has its under surface slightly dished upward and has a central aperture h, leading to a short pipe, which is plugged at the top, but from which a small rubber tube h leads to a revolving chamber K, mounted on the gear-wheel E. By means of these tubes 71. the gaseous products of electrolysis throughout the entire electrolytic cell are led to the chamber K, from whence they pass out by a stationary pipe 70. The joint between K and k is water-sealed, The chamber K as well as the other essential portions of the ap paratns are preferably made of antimonial lead. In order that the escape of gases may be more effectually prevented, both of the peripheral surfaces of the ring formed by the anode-segments are provided with rubber petticoats 0 0, which project down and out from the edges of the anode-ring and sweep against the opposite peripheral walls of the annular cell B, as seen in Fig. 1. The entire series of anode-plates H is constituted a single anode by means of electrical connections m m, which are in contact with the socket O, whence the circuit is completed by way of post 0 and the spider-frame D.

Thus far the parts which have been described constitute an annular electrolytic cell of which the bottom forms a cathodeplate and in which rotates slowly a partial. annular anode, with means for the collection and escape of the evolved gases. I will now describe those parts of the apparatus which have for their function to continuously spread upon the cathode-plate at the bottom of the cell the material which is to be consumed or transformed, and to continuously remove the material which is formed on the cathode by the electrolytic action.

Asupply-box P in the form of a small segment rests upon the bottom of the cell within the space between the arms of the spiderframe which is not bridged by an anode-plate. At one side this box is attached to the side of the anode-plate H, which is hung upon the adjacent arm d of the spider-frame. This connect-ion is accomplished with the interposition of a rubber sheet 19, so that the box P, although resting on the cathode-plate and attached to the anode, does" not short-circuit the cell. The side wall of box P away from which its motion occurs does not reach quite to the bottom of the cell, thus leaving a feeding-slot p, the aperture of which is controlled by a pair of sliding plates 19 p adjustable at the top by set-screws q g, which bear against a ledge formed at the top of the wall of the box. The ends of the box P are separated from the peripheral walls of the annular cell B by rubber washers r7. Outside of the side wall of the box P, toward which its motion occu rs,is mou rated a vertically-sliding scraperplate S, running in ways 5 8, formed near either end of the box. The lower edge of this scraper-plate has a scraping edge which rests against the bottom of the cell and is pressed against it firmly by reason of its weight or by other suitable means.

I will now describe the operation of my apparatus, instancing its use in the process of reducing lead from its sulfid, to which I have above referred. The box P is filled with finely-ground galeua concentrate. The cell is filled with an electrolyte of dilute sulfuric acid. Power is applied to slowly revolve the spider-frame D in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, carrying with it the anode-plates H and the box P. The slot 19 at the bottom of the box continuously feeds a fine layer, say about one-tenth of an inch thick, depending upon the adjustment of plates 19 over the entire bottom of the cell: The current passing between the electrodes reduces the lead sulfid to metallic lead, which appears as a spongy mass which varies in consistency with the fineness of the ore. It is very porous and spongy if the ore be ground fine, and more or less plastic if the ore is ground coarse. The gaseous products of the electrolysis pass out at the pipe 7r; and may be utilized if desired. As rotation continues, the spongy lead which is thus formed on the cathode-plate at the bottom of the cell meets the advancing edge of the scraper-plate S and is by it scraped from the cathode and accumulates against it, occupying the space between this edge of box P and that of the anode-plate in front of it. From time to time, without interrupting the process, the accumulating material is removed from this space and fresh galena supplied to the box. This may conveniently be done by hand with a scoop. The.

electrolyte may also from time to time be renewed without interrupting the process by adding fresh sulfuric acid.

The process thus made possible by this apparatus affords many advantages. The galena may be spread very thinly and evenly over the cathode. This results in very co mplete reduction. It makes possible the use of larger current densit.iessay sixty amperes per square foot of cathode-surface-which hastens the reduction process. Being continuons there is no loss of time and energy such as usually occurs where electrodes must be removed from time to time in order to get at the product of the electrolysis. Neither are there any of the disagreeable or dangerous effects upon the workmen such as are experienced by those who have to handle and remove electrodes in electrolytic lead processes.

Although the material which issupplied to the cathode in the process I have described is in the form of a powder, in other processes it may be supplied in any plastic or viscid form, or even in the form of a liquid.

It should be noted that in electrolytic processes, where all the products of electrolysis either go into the solution or escape as gases, the means for continuously supplying a material to be consumed may be employed with- Werner out the use of a scraper-plate. Likewise Where the material to be consumed is entirely supplied from the electrolyte or from one of the electrodes the scraper-plate may be employed to remove a material accumulating upon an electrode Without using the continuous-supply box. Thus one of the electrodes may be consumed by the process and be renewed by replacement from time to time, and also a material accumulating at the other electrode be continuously removed therefrom by a rotating scraper glate such as I have described.

Obviously the apparatus and process which I have described are subject to great variation'in regard to the nature and composition of the electrodes and the electrolyte, the di rection of the current, and toe mechanical details of the apparatus.

In the apparatus as I have shown and described it the supplyreceptacle and the scraper move in relation to the lower electrode; but it is evident that relative motion between the two is What is required and that this may be obtained by moving the lower electrode With relation to the scraper and supply-receptacle, or both of these elements may move in different directions orat different speeds.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In an electrolytic cell, means for evenly spreading, over the surface of one of the electrodes, without interruption of the process, a coating of a material which is to be acted upon or transformed by the electrolysis, substantially as described.

2. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode; a scraper in proximity to the surface of the electrode; and means for moving one of said elements in relation to the other; whereby, Without interruption of the process, a coating on the surface of the electrode of a material which has been acted upon or transformed by he electrolysis is removed from the electrode, substantially as described.

3. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode; a scraper in proximity to its surface; means for moving one of said elements in relation to the other; and means for evenly spreading over the surface of the electrode, without interruption of the process, a coating of a material Which is to be acted upon or transformed by the electrolysis, and which after such transformation, is removed from the electrode by the scraper Without interruption of the process, substantially as de scribed.

4. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode; a supply-receptacle with a slotted outlet in proximity to the surface of the electrode; and means for rotating; one of said elements in relation to the other, Where by, Without inte ruption of the process, there is supplied upon the surface of the electrode,

a coating of a material which is to be acted upon or transformed by the electrolysis, substantially as described.

5. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode; a s raper in proximity to the surface of the electrode; and means for rotating one of said elements in relation to the other, whereby, Without interruption of the process, there is removed from the electrode, a coating of a material which has been acted upon or transformed by the electrolysis, substantially as described.

6. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode; a supply-receptacle with a slotted outlet in proximity to the surface of he electrode; means for rotating one of said elements in relation to the other, whereby, Without interruption of the process, there is supplied to the surface of the electrode,a coating of a material which is to-be acted upon or transformed by the electrolysis; and a scraper also in proximity to the surface of the electrode, and in fixed relation to the supplyreoeptacle, whereby the transformed material is removed from the surface of the electrode, substantially as described.

7. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode having a flat surface of circular outline; a supply-rece iitaole having a slotted outlet in proximity to said surface, and radially disposed in relation thereto; and means for rotating one of said elements in relation to the other, whereby, without interruption of the process, there is supplied to the electrode, a coating of a material which is to be acted upon or transformed by the elec trolysis, substantially described.

8. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode having a flat surface of circular outline; a scraper, the scraping edge of which is in proximity to the surface of the electrode, and radially disposed in relation thereto; and means for rotating one of said elements in relation to the other, whereby, without interruption of the process, a coating upon the surface of the electrode which results from the electrolytic process is removed therefrom, substantially as described.

9. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode having a flat surface of circular outline; a supply-receptacle, having a slotted outlet radially disposed in relation to the surface of the electrode; a scraper, having its scraping edge radially disposed in relation to the surface of the eleetrode; means fo' rotating the supply-receptacle and the scraper in relation to the electrode; the supply-receptacl and the scraper being in fixed relation to each other, with the scraper in advance of the supply-receptacle, considered with relation to the direction of rotation; whereby there is continuously supplied to the surface of the electrode, and simultaneously and continuously removed therefrom, a coat ing; of a material which is being acted upon or transformed by the electrolysis, substantially as described.

IIO

10. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an upper and lower horizontal electrode; means for rotating one of the electrodes with relation to the other; and a supply-receptacle, with a slotted outlet radially disposed in relation to the axis of rotation, resting upon the lower electrode, but carried by the upper electrode, substantially as described.

11. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an upper and lower horizontal electrode; means for rotating one of the electrodes with relation to the other; and a scraper with a scraping edgeradially disposed in relation to the axis of rotation, pressing against the surface of one of the electrodes, but carried by the other, substantially as described.

12. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode suspended therein in the form of an incomplete annulus; another electrode at the bottom of the cell; a supply-receptacle, with a radially-disposed slotted outlet, carried by the suspended electrode and occupying the break in the annulus; whereby, by rotating one of the electrodes in relation to the other, a material required by the elec trolytic process may be continuously spread over the surface of the electrode at the bottom of the cell, substantially as described.

13. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode suspended therein in the form of an incomplete annulus; another electrode at the bottom of the cell; a scraper, with a radially disposed scraping edge pressing against the electrode at the bottom of the cell, said scraper being carried by the suspended electrode and occupying the break in the annulus; whereby by rotating one of the electrodes in relation to the other, a coating upon the electrode at the bottom of the cell resulting from the electrolytic process,may be continuously removed therefrom without interruption of the process, substantially as described.

14. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode; a supply-receptacle, having a slotted aperture in proximity to the surface of this electrode; and means for regulating the aperture of the slot, substantially as described.

15. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode; a scraping edge running in ways direct toward the surface of the electrode, and pressing against it; and means for rotating one of said elements in relation to the other, substantially as described.

16. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode at the bottom thereof; a spider-frame carrying a horizontal series of segmental plates suspended within the electrolytic cell and forming the other electrode thereof; means for rotating one of said electrodes in relation to the other; and a supplyreceptacle for a material which is to be supplied to the electrode at the bottom of the cell, attached to the spider-frame, substantially as described.

17. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of a horizontal electrode; a spider-frame carrying a series of horizontal segmental plates suspended above the first-named electrode within the electrolytic cell and forming the other electrode thereof; means for rotating one of said electrodes in relation to the other; and a scraper attached to the spider-frame, with its scraping edge in contact with the other electrode, and which removes from said electrode, a coating which results from the electrolytic process, substantially as described.

18. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of an electrode; a spider-frame carrying a series of segmental horizontal plates which are suspended within the cell and form the other electrode thereof; means for rotating one of said electrodes in relation to the other; said plates being dished up centrally, and having apertures with tubes attached thereto, whereby the gaseous products of electrolysis are collected and removed, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PEDRO G. SALOM.

Witnesses:

JAMES H. BELL, G. KING. 

